We are delighted to welcome back to The Coniston Institute – Rod Demick & Jackie McAuley
Born in Prestatyn in north Wales, Rod Demick moved with his parents to Belfast, Northern Ireland, aged 5. He learned guitar and at the age of 11 joined his first band, the Vibros, who later became the Telstars (or Tony and the Telstars). In 1963 he joined another Belfast band, The Wheels, and moved with them to England the following year. With Demick on rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals, the band released several singles, including “Bad Little Woman”, later recorded by The Shadows of Knight, and supported visiting American musicians such as John Lee Hooker.[2] [3] After the Wheels broke up in 1967, Demick and his bandmate, lead guitarist Herbie Armstrong, joined Screaming Lord Sutch’s band, known at the time as the Beautiful Quality, for six months.[4] The following year, the pair left and recorded as the James Brothers, releasing two unsuccessful singles on the Page One label in 1968. Demick and Armstrong continued as a duo under their own names, toured with a band, and released several singles and two albums, Little Willy Ramble (MAM, 1971) and Lookin’ Through (A&M, 1972), described by Allmusic reviewer Craig Harris as “impressive”.
Demick worked as a session musician in the 1970s. In 1973, he joined influential pub rock band Bees Make Honey, but the album recorded by that line-up of the band was unreleased and the band split up in 1974. Demick reunited with Herbie Armstrong in 1978, in the band Yellow Dog. He then joined the band Meal Ticket, toured with them and appeared on their 1978 album Take Away, before working with singer-songwriter Ian Gomm, touring the US with Gomm as support act for Dire Straits, and appearing on two of Gomm’s albums, What a Blow and Village Voice.
Demick joined David Essex’s band as bassist in the early 1980s, touring with Essex for several years and appearing on the 1983 album The Whisper. He also played with Ron Kavana, before joining the Strawbs in 1985 as replacement for John Ford. He continued as a member of the Strawbs until 1998, also playing with their spin-off blues band, Turkey Leg Johnson, and in several bands led by Jim McCarty, including the Yardbirds at the time of their 1992 reunion performances. Other musicians with whom he has performed include Dr. John, Billy Ocean, and Taj Mahal. In the early 1990s, Demick joined the Paul Lamb Blues Band. After finally leaving the Strawbs, he became a permanent member of Paul Lamb and the King Snakes in 1999.[7]
Jackie McAuley, born on December 14, 1946, is a talented musician from Northern Ireland. He is known for playing the guitar and keyboards. Jackie became famous for his work with two important bands: Them and Trader Horne. He is also a songwriter, record producer, and author. Jackie McAuley joined the band Them as a keyboard player. With Them, he helped create some big hit songs like “Baby, Please Don’t Go”, “Gloria”, and “Here Comes the Night”. While touring, Them shared stages with legendary bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks.
After Them’s lead singer, Van Morrison, started his solo career, Jackie joined a band in Dublin called The Kult. Later, Jackie moved back to London and formed his own version of Them. This group recorded an album called Belfast Gypsies. Many people consider this album to be one of the most powerful rock and roll albums from the 1960s.
Jackie then formed a folk duo called Trader Horne with Judy Dyble, who used to sing for the band Fairport Convention. They released one album in 1970 called Morning Way. This album was very popular with BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel and has been re-released many times since then.
Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Jackie McAuley worked with many different musicians. He recorded and performed with artists like Viv Stanshall from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, singer Clodagh Rodgers, the Jamaican reggae group The Heptones, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. He also worked as a musical director with the famous skiffle musician Lonnie Donegan, playing guitar and fiddle.
In 1982, Jackie’s songwriting skills really shined. He and John Gustafson from Roxy Music wrote the hit song “Dear John” for the band Status Quo. Around this time, they also formed a band called Rowdy with Billy Bremner and Les Binks.
In the late 1980s, Jackie led a Celtic rock band called Poor Mouth. They recorded an album titled Gael Force. After the band broke up in the 1990s, Jackie started focusing on his own music. He has released several albums under his own name, showing his unique style.
Tickets £12.00 – Available here: https://conistoninstitute.uk/product/rod-demick-jackie-mcauley-saturday-7th-february-2026-doors-7pm-byob/